Testing Potential Transformers: by Les Warner (PCA Valence) and Chris Werstiuk (Valence Electrical Training Services LLC)
Testing Potential Transformers: by Les Warner (PCA Valence) and Chris Werstiuk (Valence Electrical Training Services LLC)
Potential Transformers
By Les Warner (PCA Valence) and
There are three basic styles used to transformer system voltages to control voltages:
Figure 1
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257
2. Control Potential Transformers (CPTs)
CPTs are standard PTs or VTs with a higher VA rating and are used to supply control power
for a circuit breaker or motor starter. These transformers are not designed for accuracy and
should not be used in revenue metering or primary protection systems.
Figure 2
Figure 3
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257
Figure 4
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257
This article is a basic guideline for PT testing using the most basic of equipment and is arranged
in accordance with the NETA standards for easy reference.
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257
Based on Tables 1 and 2, this means our example PT (0.3W, 0.6Y and 1.2ZZ) will
have the following operating characteristics:
0.3W indicates the PT will operate with an accuracy between 99.7-100.3% if:
The operating system power factor is greater than 0.6
The secondary connected devices do not exceed 12.5VA and operate at a
power factor greater than 0.7.
0.6Y indicates the PT will operate with an accuracy between 99.4-100.6% if:
The operating power factor is greater than 0.6
The connected devices do not exceed 25VA and operate at a power factor
greater than 0.85.
1.2ZZ means the PT will operate with an accuracy between 99.8-101.2% if:
The operating power factor is greater than 0.6
The connected devices do not exceed 25VA and operate at a power factor
greater than 0.85.
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257
IV. Verify correct operation of transformer withdrawal mechanism and grounding
operation.
When the PT is withdrawn ensure that there is no longer any connection with the
primary electrical system. It is a good idea to remove all as a safety precaution to
prevent back-feeding dangerous voltages into the system during testing. The fuses
should not be replaced until all PT and control system testing is completed and the PT
energization is imminent.
Use an ohmmeter or contact resistance test set to measure the resistance between the
PT primary and ground when in the fully withdrawn position to ensure the PT
grounding device is operational.
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257
h. Repeat steps a. through g. exchanging primary and secondary connections to
include all the following tests for 2 and 3 winding PTs. Use Figure 5 diagrams to
help you visualize the connections.
o 2 winding
H‐X&G
X‐H&G
o 3 Winding
H‐X&G (Guard Y)
H‐Y&G (Guard X)
X‐H&G (Guard Y)
Y‐H&G (Guard X)
X‐Y&G (Guard H)
Figure 5
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 7 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257
TABLE 3
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 8 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257
II. Perform a polarity test on each transformer to verify the polarity marks or H1-X1
relationship as applicable. We describe the two polarity test methods available using the
most basic equipment.
a. To test polarity using DC voltage, a lantern battery and a voltmeter with an analog
scale is required. Use the following steps for DC polarity testing as shown in Figure
6:
i. Connect the positive of the voltmeter to the marked terminal of the high voltage
side of the PT and the negative lead to the non-marked.
ii. Calculated the expected voltage using the battery voltage and the PT ratio.
(Battery voltage * PT ratio) if the expected voltage exceeds the battery rating;
switch the battery to the primary side of the PT and voltmeter to the secondary
side. Re-calculate the expected voltage and set the voltmeter scale accordingly.
(Battery Voltage / PT ratio)
iii. Connect the negative terminal of the battery to the non-polarity of the PT
winding under test. Momentarily touch or connect the battery positive terminal
to the polarity terminal of the PT winding under test.
iv. Closely watch the needle or analog scale of the voltmeter. It should jump in the
positive direction. This happens in a fraction of a second and the meter must be
monitored very closely. If the voltmeter kicks in the positive direction the
polarity marks are correct and if it kicks in the negative direction then the
polarity marks are incorrect.
v.
Figure 6
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 9 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257
b. To test polarity using ac voltage; a variac and voltmeter are required. Use the
following steps to test for PT polarity using the AC method as shown in Figure 7.
i. Connect a variac across the primary winding of the PT.
ii. Connect a voltmeter (VM1) across the primary PT winding and variac.
iii. Connect a voltmeter (VM2) from the polarity mark of the H side to the non-
polarity mark of the X side.
iv. Connect the non-polarity mark of the H side winding to the polarity mark of the
X side winding.
v. Increase the voltage to a known value. Calculate the expected value. ([VM1/PT
ratio]+[VM1]) if VM2 displays the expected result, the PT polarity markings
are correct. If VM2 is less than the expected result, the test connection or the PT
polarity markings are incorrect. (Note: VM1 and VM2 can be 1 voltmeter
switching between positions if the test voltage remains stable.)
vi.
Figure 7
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 10 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257
III. Perform a turn’s ratio test on all tap positions if possible.
Testing the ratio of a PT is a simple test and only requires a variac and a voltmeter.
Use the following procedure for PT ratio Testing:
a. Connect the variac across the primary winding.
b. Increase the voltage to the test voltage. (Typically an easy multiple of the PT
ratio e.g. 35:1V PT ratio = 35V) Calculate the expected secondary voltage. (Test
voltage / PT Ratio)
c. Measure the secondary voltage and compare to the expected result.
d. After the ratio tests have been completed, ensure that the connection is left as
specified.
Note: Never energize the secondary winding and measure the primary winding
as dangerous voltages could be created.
Figure 8
All of the above-mentioned tests use the same principles as the fancy test equipment available
today and should they ever fail (Because that NEVER happens) you can get your trusty
voltmeter and variac and keep on testing.
Credits:
Figure 1: http://www.geindustrial.com/cwc/products?pnlid=5&id=kvvolt
Figure 2: http://www.geindustrial.com/cwc/products?pnlid=5&id=sp-pwr
Westinghouse Technical Data Sheet 45-910; “Instrument Transformers Technical Data, Accuracy standards Index”; December 1945
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology; Electrical Engineering Technology Program; “Principle of Operation of Potential Transformers.”
©2014 Valence Electrical Training Services LLC. All rights reserved. Page 11 of 11
Valence Electrical Training Services
[email protected] relaytraining.com 303-250-8257